Sheep Creek Mine

by Bill Cavanaugh, Corvallis

Let me preface this. I am totally against any mining in Sheep Creek or any mining that would harm our rivers. 

However, the irony is at an elite level. The Green Energy folks who lectured us that we need to drive electric cars/trucks need to remember that the rare earth elements that would come from Sheep Creek are needed to power these electric vehicles. It’s OK to pollute the landscapes and ruin our oceans with inefficient/expensive wind farms but when green energy needs hit close to home, they’ll have none of it. Me? I’d rather have none of the above and let’s not forget, these are the people who demanded we use those crappy paper straws, while China dumps waste in the Yangtze River that accounts for 55% of the ocean’s pollution.

Now, rather than just come out and rant endlessly about current politicians, know this. The plans for this mine were submitted in 2022 under former politicians so party lines be damned.

I watched a video of an Oct 2025 interview with the head of US Critical Materials (“USCM”), Harvey Kaye. A more arrogant blowhard is tough to imagine and know that it is six minutes of my life I’d like back. Even CNBC’s Melissa Lee wanted him to shut up, but you can tell from his tone/demeanor that this has nothing to do with anything other than lining his pocket. He’s old and should be nowhere near decisions that will affect our children long after he is gone. I’m sure there is a place near Salt Lake City (where he is located) that can be mined.

He claims Idaho National Labs (“INL”) has “benign technology” allowing USCM to mine without harming the river system. INL is government grant and corporate funded, owned by a non-profit. On the board of said non-profit are two bankers from banks majority owned by? You guessed it, Vanguard, Black Rock, and State St. 3 hedge funds that own probably half of America and are after one thing. Profits.

But I’m torn, because isn’t this technology from INL based on science?  Wasn’t I told to “trust the science”? Add this to the multitude of scientific things I do not trust.

The other problem is the government is involved. Ronald Reagan once said, “Government does not solve problems, it subsidizes them.” Now, the rampant fraud in Minnesota under Tim Walz or through Obamacare aside, people are getting their palms greased up the chain to get this done. It’s the same way pharmaceuticals work. Pay the right people, get the right approvals, make your money and damn the public! Same way the Covid vaccine worked. 

The similarities here are staggering. Thankfully, the Bitterroot has a strong backbone, and this will not go down without a fight.